Circuit breaker with arc gas vent baffle

Abstract

A circuit breaker with an arc gas vent baffle characterized by a molded insulating housing containing circuit breaker and an arc quenching chamber, the housing having walls forming a compartment containing a terminal, the walls having spaced vent openings communicating with the compartment one of which openings is covered with a baffle to turn aside the flow of gases, and the baffle being yieldably mounted to permit access through the opening from the outside of the housing.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A circuit breaker with an arc chamber vent baffle, comprising: an electrically insulating housing including line and load terminals;   an arc quenching chamber within the housing;   a circuit breaker structure within the housing and having stationary and movable contacts operable between open and closed positions in an arcing zone within the chamber;   the housing having wall means forming a compartment for containing each terminal and having openings between the corresponding chambers and compartments;   one of the openings being aligned with a terminal for access thereto;   baffle means extending over the one opening to prevent any arc gases from flowing through the one opening and thereby avoiding a phase-to-ground electrical breakdown between the terminal and any proximate electrical conductor adjacent to the one opening; and   the baffle means being deflectable by any tool inserted through the one opening for adjustment of the terminal.   
     
     
       2. The circuit breaker of claim 1 in which the baffle means is disposed within the compartment. 
     
     
       3. The circuit breaker of claim 2 in which the baffle means comprises a flap yieldably extending over the one opening. 
     
     
       4. The circuit breaker of claim 3 in which the flap is composed of fiber sheet material. 
     
     
       5. The circuit breaker of claim 4 in which the flap is a portion of a prefolded fiber sheet and having an attached portion for attachment to the housing wall means.